The Sarah Spencer Foundation
The Sarah Spencer Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2022. In 2022, it awarded 1 grant totaling $155K. Net investment income was $29K.
The Sarah Spencer Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sarah Spencer Foundation gave $155K across 1 grant in 2022 (avg $155K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $155,059
- Grants made (2022)
- 1
- Average grant
- $155,059
- Median grant
- $155,059
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
Who The Sarah Spencer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Chicago Zoological Society ($155K).
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 12 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2022 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Sarah Spencer Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2019 to 2022 (−13%). Method
- In 2022 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $45K (2020) to $178K (2019). In 2022 it made 1 grant totaling $155K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield, IL | Charitable | $155,059 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $30,693 | $156,882 | $155,059 | 1 | $155,059 | $28,870 | $5,827 |
| 2021 | $126,189 | $6,088 | $10,221 | — | — | — | — | $8,204 |
| 2020 | $160,322 | $97,504 | $57,240 | $45,000 | 5 | — | $89,777 | $8,380 |
| 2019 | $120,056 | $82,852 | $191,772 | $178,000 | 6 | — | $73,618 | $15,242 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sarah Spencer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sarah Spencer Foundation is led by George S. Trees Jr., President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
George S. Trees Jr.
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Barbara Trees
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Sarah Trees Bliley
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Sarah Spencer Foundation
How much does The Sarah Spencer Foundation give each year?
The Sarah Spencer Foundation gave $155K across 1 grant in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sarah Spencer Foundation operate?
The Sarah Spencer Foundation has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Illinois, Virginia.
How much is The Sarah Spencer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, The Sarah Spencer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sarah Spencer Foundation's EIN?
The Sarah Spencer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3444748. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2022
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